Younger workers are the “overlooked demographic” that may be suffering the most as we pass the one-year anniversary of working from home during the pandemic, according to Microsoft Corp.’s recently released survey, The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?
Sixty percent of Gen Z workers – roughly those between the ages of 18 and 25 – reported they are “merely surviving or flat-out struggling right now,” according to the survey’s findings.
“Gen Z is at risk and will need to be re-energized,” Microsoft wrote in a press release distributed March 22. The sagging fortunes of young employees is one of seven hybrid work trends identified in the survey as requiring the attention of business leaders in this “new era of work.”
Gen Z is also more likely to be single and early in their careers, making them more likely to:
- Feel the impact of isolation
- Struggle with motivation at work
- Lack the financial means to create proper workplaces at home.
Survey respondents reported they were more likely (by a factor of 8 percent) to struggle balancing work with life and to feel exhausted after a typical day of work compared to older generations, the survey found. Gen Z also reported difficulties feeling engaged or excited at work, getting a word in during meetings, and bringing new ideas to the table.
